“I want to see your tattoos." "You do, huh?”

“It's not that i don't want you. I lied, earlier, when i said i was protecting you. I'm protecting myself. I don't want to be your rebound, Jacqueline." "Then why are you assuming that role? It's not what i want, either." "What am i gonna do with you?" "I can think of a couple things.”

“So I don't want you to feel pressured. Or overpowered. But I do, absolutely, want to kiss you right now. Badly.”

“Say stop, whenever you want to stop. Understand?" I nodded. "Do you want to stop now?" My head moved back and forth to the pillow. "Thank God.”

“You may be the only one who'll see through all my bullshit and help me try to be something more, something better."I stare at our intertwined hands. "I don't want to help you try to be anything. I want someone who's already something more. On his own. With or without me.”

“The way he kissed me felt like a brand. Like he was tattooing himself under my skin.”

“The night we met—I'm not like that guy." His jaw was rigid."I know tha—" He placed a finger over my lips, his expression softening."So I don't want you to feel pressured. Or overpowered. But I do, absolutely, want to kiss you right now. Badly.”